Regular Meeting for March 2012...unofficial minutes

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

March 13, 2012

Douglas Mann, supervisor, offered a prayer for guidance at 7pm

He then called the meeting to order with Clerk, Vicki Gates, leading the Pledge of Allegiance

Members present:         

                                                Douglas Mann, Supervisor

                                                Vicki Gates, Clerk

                                                Carol Draper, Treasurer

                                                Sharon Young, Trustee

Members absent:            John Fairbanks, Trustee

Public Comments for future consideration-none

C. Draper-motion to approve February 14, 2012 minutes, S. Young-seconded; all in favor

Treasurer’s Report-C. Draper (attached): S. Young-motion to accept the treasurer’s report, V. Gates seconded; all in favor; treasurer would like to roll over PNC CD into another CD with same bank, D. Mann would like to see the monies invested with Lake Osceola State Bank, but suggested the treasurer be allowed the decision

Clerk’s Report-V. Gates (attached): S. Young-motion to approve the bills, C. Draper seconded; all in favor

C. Draper-motion to approve the amendment for the cemetery budget, S. Young seconded; all in favor              

Correspondence: none

                                                                                                                                                                               

Dignitary Reports

·         Fire Dept- given by Marilyn Zdebski (attached); April 7^th will see an Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Fire Fighters at Skinner Park; V. Gates-motion to accept Elk Township Fire Board representatives, S. Young seconded; all in favor:

Marilyn Zdebski

Lou Fitz

Jack Hankiewicz

Sharon Puff, alternate

·         Assessor-Bob Englebrecht spoke briefly about the overall assessed value decreasing approximately 4 ¾%, and the taxable valuation staying the same; there will be another Board of Review Appeals Hearing on March 17, 2012 @ 3-6pm & 7-9pm

·         Cemetery- S.Young, liaison: there will be a cemetery meeting May 7, 2012 @ Elk @ 3pm

Supervisor-D. Mann:  Jim Abbott has made 3 more “Yellow Bag Boxes” volunteering his labor, and we would welcome placement suggestions; there is a Budget Workshop scheduled March 15^th @10am, and the Budget Hearing with the Annual Meeting scheduled for March 31, 2012 @ 10am; a big thanks goes out to J. Fairbanks for the installation of handrails

Trustees-S. Young: will check with Charlie Young regarding Wilcox Engineering and any work scheduled for the “sink hole”; there will be a Township Association Meeting @ Sauble, April 26, 2012 @ 7:30pm; thanks goes out to the Road Commission for all the clean up after the big storm

Action Items

·         Extension of the Assessor’s Contract-S. Young-motion to accept Bob Englebrecht’s contract for 2 years, V. Gates seconded; all in favor

·         Sauble Recycling Program-S. Young-motion to accept a 2 year agreement for a joint recycling program with Sauble twp for $3,000 each year, and a request for Sauble to keep statistics whenever possible of who uses the program, V. Gates seconded; all in favor (note: Sauble recycling is from 12-4pm on Saturday)…S. Young suggested to put a notice in Bulletin Board News

Old Business

·         D. Mann will look into ideas for parking lot modifications

·         Installation of new front entrance & keyless entry was put on hold until J. Fairbanks can report

New Business

·         D. Mann will look into language for renewal of the Road millage

Public Comment-good idea to replace the doors

C. Draper-motion to adjourn, S. Young seconded; all in favor

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk

3.15.12

Budget Workshop...

All Board Members present:

D. Mann

V. Gates

C. Draper

S. Young

J. Fairbanks

D. Mann explained his budgets. Budgets discussed.

Meeting adjourned.

Budget Hearing & Adoption will precede Annual Meeting, March 31st @ 10am @ township hall

ORV Ordinance available for the public's info...

ORV Ordinance and map for 2012 goes into effect on April 1.
All roads in Sweetwater and Yates Township are closed EXCEPT the roads at the Township boarders.
Golf carts are allowed but they must have an ORV license/sticker and abide by ALL of the rules in the ordinance.
The typical sun shade on a golf cart is not roll over protection.
ORV Ordinance map may be obtained from the clerk during office hours, Thurs 9-1pm

Office Space...

 

 

 

 

Great Election Results for Elk Township

When the rest of Michigan was predicting 15-16% voter turnout, Elk Township came in around 20% depending on if you want to count the voters who should not be on the "list" because they have moved (some right outa this world). With 158 voters, Elk Township's unofficial results were 63 votes for Rick Santorum, 59 for Mitt Romney, and a minority for other candidates. Complete results are posted on the notice board outside of the township hall.

Thanks for a great election voters!

Ready, Set....Come

VOTING, FEBRUARY 28, 2012 7am - 8pm

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

UNOFFICIAL MINUTES:

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

February 14, 2012

Douglas Mann, supervisor, asked Johnny Gates to offer a prayer for guidance at 6:59pm

He then called the meeting to order at 7:00pm with Clerk, Vicki Gates, leading the Pledge of Allegiance

Members present:         

                                                Douglas Mann, Supervisor

                                                Vicki Gates, Clerk

                                                Carol Draper, Treasurer

                                                John Fairbanks, Trustee

Members absent:            Sharon Young, Trustee

Public Comments for future consideration-none

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve January 10, 2012 minutes, C. Draper-seconded; all in favor

Treasurer’s Report-C. Draper (attached): J. Fairbanks-motion to accept the treasurer’s report, V. Gates seconded; all in favor; treasurer will be accepting property tax payments with 1% interest until March 1, 2012, after that property taxes must be paid to the county with interest

Clerk’s Report-V. Gates (attached): J. Fairbanks-motion to approve the bills, D. Mann seconded; all in favor

D. Mann-motion to accept the precinct inspectors for the Presidential Primary:

Kay Macdonald, Republican

Pat Bishop, Democrat

Sharon Puff, Independent

Vicki Gates, Independent

C. Draper-seconded; all in favor

Correspondence: Letter/email read from MTA (Michigan Township Association) relating that the state does not have the ability to withhold any constitutional revenue sharing due the townships no matter how much cash reserves they show, and MTA will continue to monitor the state’s reach

                                Letter to Jim Abbott read expressing the board’s appreciation for making & labeling the garbage collection box placed at the corner of 10 ½ mile & Granger Rds for yellow bags, at his own cost

Dignitary Reports

·         Fire Dept- given by Marilyn Zdebski (attached)

·         Commissioner-J. Fairbanks discussed upcoming 911 millage vote; and stated the commissioners will be adopting the ORV ordinance at their upcoming March 22^nd meeting

·         Cemetery- D. Mann discussed the roundtable talk from the last cemetery board meeting; J. Fairbanks-motion to accept Blossom Fairbanks resignation from the cemetery board, C. Draper seconded; all in favor

J. Fairbanks-motion to appoint Donna Kott to the cemetery board, V. Gates seconded; all in favor

D. Mann will contact MTA to see if we must legally seek bids on the old tractor that has a bent shaft

Supervisor-D. Mann:  there have been two townhall style meetings concerning a small hall renovation using existing monies, but no money has been spent to date; as a courtesy, the supervisor would like to be apprised of any materials passed out at meetings; a new light has been installed at the back of the township hall (at no charge); a budget meeting/workshop is scheduled for March 15^th at 10am at the township hall; and he reminds the public there will be an annual meeting March 31^st at 10am at the township hall

Old Business

·         Commercial Property Evaluation-assessor has looked at all properties on the list in question except for Enchanted Acres because he was denied access to the property by the owner; J. Fairbanks-motion to direct the supervisor to direct the assessor to turn the property of Enchanted Acres into 100% commercial property and they will have the opportunity to go to the Board of Review, C. Draper seconded; roll call vote: C. Draper, Yes; J. Fairbanks, Yes; D. Mann, No; V. Gates, Yes-motion passed

·         Payment to Dennis VanVleet-the board has learned it needs contracts for all workers, and supervisory controls should be in place; board has instructed the clerk to pay this outstanding bill

·         Yellow Bag Trash Pick Up Sites-board is looking for volunteers to construct more boxes to be used at various locations around the township

·         Technology updating-assessor would like to purchase a laptop computer for $975 which will be used for township business for the assessor and remain the property of Elk Township; the treasurer will shop around for herself; V. Gates-motion to allow the assessor & treasurer to purchase their own computers, not to exceed $1,000/each, and bills to be submitted in the next fiscal year beginning April 1^st; C. Draper seconded; all in favor

New Business

·         C. Draper requested that V. Gates put a disclaimer on her blog that this is not an official website; V. Gates has agreed to do so with the understanding that this is not necessary as it is a personal blog with personal opinions

·         Request from Marilyn Zdebski to subsidize Sauble’s recycling program: D. Mann will look in to this

·         Security of the hall: J. Fairbanks will look into a keyless entry and/or a new door

V. Gates-motion to adjourn, C. Draper seconded; all in favor

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk

2.16.12

AV BALLOTS AVAILABLE FOR PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY FEB. 28th

Yup! The county got us our ballots already, but it is a "closed" primary which means you will have to declare which party (democrat/republican) you want a ballot for...
And you still have to fill out an AV application available from the clerk during office hours: Thursdays 9-1pm, or write:
Clerk
P.O. Box 298
Irons, MI  49644

Renovations...

 New chair possibilities for the public...

Much more room for everyone!